Motion Sickness

When To Call

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Motion sickness symptoms last more than 8 hours
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

• Motion sickness symptoms

Care Advice

What You Should Know About Motion Sickness:

• Motion sickness is a common normal reaction that occurs in 25% of people.
• Caused by increased sensitivity of the inner ear.
• It is not related to emotional problems or any physical disease.
• In the future, take a special medicine ahead of time to prevent it.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Rest - Lie Down:

• Have your child lie down and rest. If your child goes to sleep, all the better.

Fluids - Offer Sips:

• Give only sips of clear fluids. Water is best. Do this until the stomach settles down.

Vomiting:

• Prepare for vomiting. Keep a vomiting pan handy.
• Usually, children don't vomit more than once with motion sickness.

What to Expect:

• All symptoms of motion sickness usually go away in 4 hours after stopping the motion.
• As for the future, people usually don't outgrow motion sickness. Sometimes, it becomes less severe in adults.

Motion Sickness Medicine - Dramamine:

• Buy some dimenhydrinate tablets (such as Dramamine) at your drug store. No prescription is needed. In the future, give it to prevent motion sickness.
• It comes in 50 mg regular and chewable tablets or in 25 mg Kids chewable tablets.
• Dosage by age: do not use under age 2.
• 2 to 5 years (12.5 mg): ½ Kids chewable
• 6 to 11 years (25 mg): 1 Kids chewable
• 12 and older (50 mg): 1 regular tablet or chewable
• Give the medicine 1 hour before traveling or going to a fun-park.
• The tablets give 6 hours of protection and are very helpful.
• Benadryl can also be used to prevent motion sickness. Use this if you do not have any Dramamine.

Prevention Tips for Car Trips:

• If your child is over 12 years old, sit him in the front seat.
• Before age 12, have your child sit in the middle back seat. This should help him look out the front window.
• Have your child look out the front window, not the side one.
• Discourage looking at books or movies during car travel.
• Keep a window cracked to provide fresh air.
• Avoid exhaust fumes from other vehicles.
• Meals: have your child eat light meals before trips. Some children can just tolerate crackers and water.
• Plastic Bags: always carry a ziplock plastic bag for vomiting emergencies.

Wrist Bands - Prevention:

• Acupressure bands (such as Sea-Bands) are helpful for some adults.
• There is no reason they shouldn't work for some children.
• Put them on before car trips or other causes of motion sickness.
• The pressure button goes over the center of the wrist. Place ½ inch (1 cm) above the wrist crease.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Any symptoms last over 8 hours
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

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